Dodgers Notes: Weekend Pitching Plan, Glasnow Rehab Start, Snell & Treinen Will Face Hitters, Sasaki Update

LOS ANGELES, CA— It is going to be a busy week in Southern California for the Los Angeles Dodgers as they begin a six-game homestand with the Chicago White Sox. 

Before today’s game, Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts provided the media with multiple significant updates, including when Shohei Ohtani’s next start will be and updates on Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki, and Blake Treinen.

Plan for Weekend Series vs Astros

After the Dodgers wrap up a three-game series against the White Sox on Thursday, the team will host the American League West-leading Houston Astros for a three-game interleague weekend series. However, per usual, the Dodgers’ probable starters for those games are in limbo.

The first game between the two will be on Friday, July 4th, kicking off Independence Day, and the Dodgers do not have a set starter.

Dodgers manager initially stated that two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani would make his fourth start on Sunday, but later clarified with Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register that Ohtani will pitch on Saturday.

As for Sunday, that will likely line up for right-handed pitcher Emmet Sheehan, who starts tonight for the Triple-A OKC Comets. Sheehan, 25, was ineligible to return to the 26-man roster for fifteen days after his demotion to the minors.

Sheehan would be eligible to return on Friday, but that would put him in a position to start on just three days’ rest, rather than the regular rest he would have had for Sunday.

As for Friday, that is still a question mark. The spot start could go to either lefty Justin Wrobleski or Ben Casparius, but Roberts already confirmed that Wrobleski would piggyback off Ohtani during his start.

While Roberts stated that Casparius’s next outing was to be determined, Bill Plunkeet also reported that the righty would be expected to pitch in some capacity on Friday.

So for now, this weekend looks something like this:

• Friday, July 4th: Ben Casparius
• Saturday, July 5th: Shoehi Ohtani + Justin Wrobleski
• Sunday, July 6th: Emmet Sheehan

Glasnow Will Make Third Rehab Start

Right-handed pitcher Tyler Glasnow is slated to appear in his third rehab game this Thursday with the Triple-A OKC Comets in what is expected to be his final tune-up before activation.

According to Dave Roberts, Glasnow is expected to pitch five innings at around seventy-five pitches. If the righty can complete that, he should be lined up to return to the Dodgers ’ starting rotation before the All-Star break.

In Glasnow’s previous two rehab games, he’s shown mixed results. While the velocity has remained constant (around 96-99 mph), the command and execution have been less than stellar.

His second rehab start was a massive clunker where the right-hander allowed five runs on seven hits and failed to complete three full innings.

Glasnow has been on the injured list since the end of April due to right shoulder inflammation, and when he does return, he will provide a massive boost to the starting rotation.

Snell & Treinen Will Face Live Hitters

While Glasnow will kick off another rehab game on Thursday, two more pitchers will take a significant step toward their rehab tomorrow as lefty Blake Snell and righty Blake Treinen are expected to face hitters for the first time since going on the injured list.

Snell threw a thirty-six pitch bullpen session at Dodger Stadium over the weekend while the Dodgers were away on their six-game road trip, per Dodgers insider David Vassegh of Dodger Talk.

Vassegh hinted that it was likely Snell would face hitters this week, and that was confirmed by Dave Roberts prior to today’s game.

The news is somewhat shocking after Roberts sounded less optimistic about Snell facing hitters less than a week ago. But fast-forward to today, and that appears not to be the case.

Joining Snell will be Blake Treinen, who has been out since April due to right forearm inflammation.

While an MRI revealed a low-grade sprain, the righty has been MIA over the last several weeks, until recently, when it was confirmed that not only had he restarted his throwing program, but there was also a bullpen session.

Each pitcher is still likely weeks away from returning, and with the All-Star break thirteen days away, don’t expect to see either name activated until the start of the second half.

Roki Sasaki is Pain-Free; Next Steps TBD

Lastly, Dave Roberts confirmed to the media today that 23-year-old Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki is finally “pain-free” after being placed on the injured list in May due to right shoulder discomfort.

Roki has been trending. Roki is pain-free. Flat ground, the velocity, the effort, intensity, all that stuff has really ticked up. So it’s been good. Physically, he looks good. I’m not sure when he’s going to get on the mound, but pretty optimistic.

Sasaki restarted his throwing program a few weeks back, and despite the throwing sessions on flat ground, there was no timetable when the right-hander would return to the mound or face hitters.

As of now, the return still seems uncertain, and if Sasaki does begin to ramp up, he’ll need a lengthy rehab assignment before any activation.

Overall, Sasaki posted a 4.72 ERA across eight starts with Los Angeles, each with mixed results and flashes of greatness. If Sasaki can return, any innings provided would be a plus for the Dodgers as they begin to finalize their roster for October with the upcoming trade deadline.

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